"The act has started, one meant to happen twenty years ago however postponed. And you just so happened to be the luckiest human alive." His words did nothing to satiate her questions as more questions arose. "What does an act mean and how do you know anything about this? What do you know about the three doors?! How's mom and Kevin?" The two got to the outskirts, the speed of the car at an all time high which concerned Lara.
"I can't get into the specifics right now but make sure to never stray too far." The car began to slow down and before Lara could ask any more questions, the state of the city caught her eye. Cars in pile ups, fires all over the city and a plane could be seen crashing towards the fields of barley back there. "I…I don't get it! Can we go home first?!" It wasn't long before the car came outside of Clara's house. Lara rushed out of the car, a smile on her face Andrew followed her with a blank expression.
"Mom! Kevin!" Lara shouted as she sent the door flying, her figure disappearing into the house before an ear piercing scream filled the air. "Mom…" Lara's hands were shaking as Andrew caught up to the eager Lara. On the floor was Clara, but now her figure was surrounded in a pool of blood, the smell of blood hitting Lara strong.
"Mom…" Lara crumpled to her knees, her hands cradling Clara's head as she burst into tears. Andrew watched Lara break into tears, his air aloof to the crying lady. "Mom…no! You can't die!! I just got back home!" Lara's sniffles filling the air while Andrew towered behind her, his hands in his pockets. "We can't stay here Lara." His words were met with push back, Lara bitter. "I want to stay here with my mother! Mom…."
The air was filled with the sobs which after fifteen minutes died into sniffles. "Mom… Now you after dad left us?! I can't be the one to look after Kevin!" Andrew's words landed with no subtly. No comfort or ill will with his intent. "Kevin's dead, he was buried a few days ago from suicide." His fingers unlocking Clara's phone and showing Lara the footage of burying Kevin.
"Om my…Is this even real? There's no way that any of this is real! Andrew tell me that you're lying to me! That all of this is nothing more than a bad dream! Tell me Andrew! Tell me!"Andrew shook his head which sent the already bereaving Lara into a state of mourns. With her eyes dry from crying, her guttural cries and sniffles were the only thing that Andrew heard for another thirty minutes.
"I'll be in the car, ready for when you're ready to leave." His words followed with his footsteps fading behind Lara's back. 'Is this real? There's no way that any of this is real!' Lara's fingers dug into Claire's body, her figure mixing with Clara's blood. She let out all of her tears out till she can't and once past that, the sound of her groans permeated the air. 'I guess there's nothing that's left for me here. Kevin's gone as well as mom…' She mused, bringing herself up to her feet. Her sniffles audible here and there.
She made her way out to where Andrew was waiting for her leaning on the SUV. "Are you ready? Once we leave there's no coming back to this." She looked back, the home where she grew up in, the back and forth banter she would have with Kevin and the moments she cherished with her parents. "Yeah…Let's go." She didn't know where he was taking her but her mind was still reluctant on leaving. "Hey Andrew…" Andrew who was already stepping into the car paused and looked back at her. "Yes Lara?" His tone dead as always. "Could you promise me something? That you won't die on me because if you do then… I don't know what I'd do."
Her tone sombre yet gentle, her focus cast to the side avoiding his dead pan eyes. "Of course, I promise that I'll never die and be there for you. However I can't offer you the emotional support that is required for you to wear your smile." Her figure stepped into the car, slow and sluggish. "That…should be more than enough for me. Just promise me that you'll be there." His grip on the wheel and his focus on her, his words echoed once more.
"I promise that I'll be here for you. But for me to keep my promise, you'll have to promise me that you'll live to see me keep it." A small smile crept on her face, barely visible but enough for Andrew to pick up on it. "I promise, but should I struggle, you have to help me." A nod was shot her way before the SUV sprang to life and drove off. She wasn't sure where they were going, her promise ringing in her mind as the world blurred in front of her.
The car made it's way into one of the many luxurious homes, similar to the one Brittany was in. The gates opened automatically, a series of cars out on display while the mansion towered over the two, as if threatening them with the air of prestige it gave off. "We'll be staying here but we'll be moving. Should you face any form of discomfort at any point during your stay with me, please don't hesitate to tell me and I'm sure that I'll take care of it."
His words elicited a nod out of her, the two stepping out of the car. He gave her a small tour of the place, her interest barely there before she made her way to her room and locked herself in. "You really shouldn't be bothered with her. After all what will become of her by the end of this all?" A voice echoed in Andrew's head, it was none other than Charles.
"It proves to keep "that" one aware of what will become of her should she slip." Charles paused before shooting his response. "But do we really need so many? I'm sure that on should be more than enough for this." Andrew's figure in the garage where the SUV was now in. He made his way to the back and started placing boxes, most of first aid kits and basic necessities rations and clothes. "I didn't think that you'd be in such a rush."
Charles cooed once more as Andrew was done packing. "We won't be leaving for till a few days. It won't serve me any advantage to have her in such a state. Besides I still have to get your chip." Charles didn't bother with the communication anymore as Andrew was back to his silence. Lara made her way downstairs, her figure shriveled. "Please, I'm sure you'll love this." His hand gesturing over the meal laid out for her which piqued her interest. "You didn't have to cook so much, you're wasting food."
Her figure sat opposite to Andrew on the dining table, between the two a wide array of foods and dishes prepped. "We can afford to waste it. And should you feel any form of pain like headaches and such, please find me so that I can soothe it." She dug into her meal, the intrigue painted on her face as she began to eat more and more. Andrew watched her eat with no form of restraint till she cleared all the dishes prepared. "Thank you Andrew. For not only saving me but being there for me."
"Of course Lara, I'm sure that you must be tired thus your bed is already waiting for you." A yawn left her lips, testament of his words and after a goodnight, she made he way to her room. "I don't like how my chip's behaving. At this rate it won't be able to qualify."Charles's groans could be heard echo through Andrew's head who was now on the balcony of his own room. The night breeze lightly swaying his damp hair fresh out of the bath.
"Had you miscalculated?" Andrew asked, his gaze on the cloudless sky. "I'm sure that this is the one and yet it's like this. Maybe I'm a bit too quick to judge it so prove me wrong. If not by the time you make it to me then I'll just get rid of it." Andrew resting in the moonlight, the sounds of his breathe barely audible before a faint knock drifted into his ears. "Yes Lara?"
She fidgeted her fingers, her gaze avoidant of his. "You wouldn't mind I slept here with you, right? I mean this place is cool however it's way too silent for my taste." Andrew gestured for her to come in, the two in bed and it wasn't long before Lara fell asleep. Andrew watched her sleep, her soft breathes, her hair spilling all over the pillows her figure curled up in the duvet. "I guess she isn't bad to keep around." Charles's remark settled in before Andrew turned around facing the night sky.
. . .
Waking up, Lara was met with a huge breakfast waiting for her to which she didn't hesitate on indulging before turning on the news. The headlines buzzed with the global phenomenon, the eye and the effects that came with it. Be it the dizziness, the headaches as well as talking about the problems that resulted within the one hour everyone was rendered helpless.
"Andrew, you're on the list of escaped suspects on the precinct and deemed a wanted criminal!" Lara's concerns echoing throughout the mansion and catching Andrew who was busy with the dishes. "I know, if you are worried about me leaving then don't stress yourself too much. I won't be going anywhere. Soon they will have other matters to be worried about." Lara broke focus with the television as an acute sense of pain hit her mind.
"ARGH!! Andrew!!" Andrew made over to her, unhurried with his movements as he gave her a glass of water. She drank it with no hesitation and the pain began to dull, fading into a mild headache. "Seriously! What is up with the headaches and pain?" Andrew watched Lara drink the rest of the glass of water. "The eye has implanted not just you but every single human with a thread, one that will blossom and bring out your true potential. However that's a bit later on so no need to worry yourself so much about that now."
His figure retreating back to the kitchen to finish up with the dishes. 'I can't believe that he's on the run.' She looked more into the news which talked about the changes that would be implemented world wide because of the periodic head aches. "You said that every human would be plagued with this, what exactly are the limits on this?" Andrew done made his way over, his air casual.
"From when a human is deemed a human to the oldest. From a zygote to the elderly however there is a problem as there are chances of rejection. Should all three doors not work for you, your brain will be evaporated and turned into mush. That's what happened with your mother as well as millions of people all over the world."Lara looked at her own hands, the reality that unfolded around her something she still refused to acknowledge. 'There's no way that any of this is real. This…all of this has to be some sick dream.'
"Argh!" A spike of pain throbbed in her head forcing her to reach for the cup of water and keep on drinking. 'But if all of this is a dream then why is it so painful?' She mused as she clutched her head, stealing glances at Andrew who watched the news. The reports of planes crashing were prevalent, operations going awry and convicts finding ways to escape and Andrew was one of many in their city.
*Ring*
Andrew picked up his phone, revealing to be Brittany. "Why does this have your name all of it dear? I also didn't know that you were an escaped convict. Just what did you do Andrew?"